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Jeff Klein

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Jeff Klein, what an absolute pleasure. Tell us where you’ve been, where you are today and where you’re heading?

I’m constantly traveling. I just got back from Vancouver Island (my husband is shooting a TV series in Vancouver) for a little getaway weekend at The Point No Point - rustic, beautiful, secluded in wilderness with little cabins overlooking the ocean. They have a fabulous restaurant and there are great hikes in the area. Currently I am at my house in L.A and in three weeks, going to the San Juan islands just off the coast of Seattle. This summer I’m excited to visit Tuscany, Positano and Cap D’Antibes! Traveling gives me ideas and inspiration for my own projects; from something as simple as how to serve yogurt in the morning to design ideas.

Sunset Tower in West Hollywood is a true classic, a diamond, loved by some of the worlds most glamorous...what’s your secret?

I just know the right people to sleep with. :)

Did you always have a passion for hotels and hospitality or was it something you fell into by chance?

Always!!! I graduated from college on a Friday and the next Monday I was a bellman at the Franklin Hotel in NYC. This is always what I wanted. It's my passion, my obsession.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

As a young child, I thought I wanted to be a vet because I loved animals so much.

Who do you most admire in the world of hospitality? Who’s pushing the boundaries?

I admire and miss Alex Calderwood terribly. The world is at a true loss without him. I love him and will always miss him.

Where will you be on your next day off?

I don’t even know what a day off is!

What’s your favorite hotel in the world and why?

El Garzon in Garzon, Uruguay. Food, setting, design - everything is personal and perfect, even the little town it’s in.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry in the last five to ten years?

F&B is becoming more important in hotels.

What advice would you give to young hoteliers?

Be patient and learn the business from the bottom up, that’s my true strength. Even when brilliant real estate players buy hotels, they fail miserably. It’s a very specific business.

What would your dream hotel project look like?

The new hotel that I just bought, The San Vicente Bungalows, is sort of the dream hotel project! It's all of these amazing bungalows that were built in the 30s surrounding a pool. Currently it's cheap and chic, but I will be converting it into a magical and luxurious place.